Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
कंसस्तु धनुषो भङ्गं रक्षिणां स्वबलस्य च । वधं निशम्य गोविन्दरामविक्रीडितं परम् ॥ २६ ॥ दीर्घप्रजागरो भीतो दुर्निमित्तानि दुर्मति: । बहून्यचष्टोभयथा मृत्योर्दौत्यकराणि च ॥ २७ ॥
kaṁsas tu dhanuṣo bhaṅgaṁ rakṣiṇāṁ sva-balasya ca vadhaṁ niśamya govinda- rāma-vikrīḍitaṁ param
而邪恶的康萨听闻:戈文达与罗摩折断神弓,并将他的守卫与兵卒如同游戏般杀灭,便惊恐万分。他长久不眠;无论醒时或梦中,都见到许多凶兆,宛如死亡的使者。
This verse notes that Kaṁsa heard how Kṛṣṇa broke the bow and how the guards and Kaṁsa’s soldiers were killed, recognizing these events as the supreme pastime of Govinda and Balarāma.
Because the news showed that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were overpowering Kaṁsa’s defenses with ease, and Kaṁsa understood these acts as extraordinary divine play—signaling his impending danger.
The verse contrasts the devotee’s reverence with the tyrant’s fear: recognizing a higher divine order can shift one from anxiety and control to humility, accountability, and trust.